Synchronizing means for time measuring mechanism



0. HESS Oct. 27, 1931.

SYNCHRONIZING MEANS FOR TIME MEASURING MECHANISM Filed March 29, 1926 I II W 1 I'QIQIRBG Uct. 1!, 1861 umane UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTO HRS, OF ZUG, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR TO LANDIS & GYR, A.-G., A JOINT STOCK COMPANY 01 SWITZERLAND SYNCHEONIZIN G MEANS FOR TIME MEASURING MECHANISM Application filed larch 29, 1928, Serial No. 98,225, and. in Switzerland April 1, 1925.

The invention relates to a novel and useful system for controlling and synchronizing a plurality of clock mechanisms, and more particularly to such a novel and useful s stem for arresting one or more control ed clock movements and restarting it or them in synchronism with a controlling clock movement.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts,

mechanism, systems, steps and methods herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

' Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a controlling and a controlled clock mechanism connected in circuit;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, looking at Fig. 1 from the left;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, looking at the controlled clock mechanism of Fig. 1 from the left.

The invention is directed to keeping a plurality of clock mechanisms in substantially continuous synchronism, and more especially keeping one or more controlled clock mechanisms in synchronism with a controlling clock mechanism. One application of the invention is to the clock mechanisms for electrical measuring and registering instruments, whereby various complementary or otherwise cooperating instruments may simultaneously make their respective records so as to get complete data of the energy and other conditions of the circuit at an exact predetermined time. .In accordance with one feature of the invention, the controlled clocks are all stopped at a predetermined time by a variably settable mechanism, and these clocks are then released by the controlling clock in synchronism with said controlling clock.

In the, present preferred embodiment of the invention the controlled clocks are set to run a little faster than the controlling clock movement, so that durin the interval elapsing between one controlling setting and the next, the controlled clock movement will gain slightly over the controllin clock movement. At the end of this period 0 running, the controlled clock mechanism is arranged to stop itself, by devices operating preferably in cooperation with controlling devices of the controlling clock, and during this period of stoppage of the controlled clock movement, the controlling movement continues running, and when it reaches the same time indication as the controlled movement, the latter is released, and the two clocks begin the next predetermined period absolutely in synchronism. It will be clear that any controlled electrical measuring and registering devices, or other equivalent means, may be operated at the beginning of a period after such synchronizing, and thus all such operations will be simultaneous.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, a controlling clock mechanism is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the time measuring and indicating elements of which may be of any standard or suitable form, and are not shown except in so far as required to elucidate the application of the present invention.

One of the frame plates of the clock mechanism is indicated at 1, and a regulating device 2 is shown, by which the running of the clock may be adjusted and governed in the usual manner. In the present embodiment of the invention, the control of the controlled clock mechanism is effected electrically, and accordingly a circuit making and breaking contact is mounted on the controlling clock mechanism of Figs. 1 and 2, together with mechanism controlled by this clock for making and breaking the circuit at the proper time, as hereinafter more fully described.

As so embodied, one of the circuit contact terminals 3 is mounted on, and insulated from, the clock mechanism, the contact being mounted on a base 4 fixed to the side plate 1 on the clock by screws 5. The cooperating contact, or circuit making and breaking member, com rises a, spring plate 6, likewise mounted 1n the block 5, and suitably insulated therefrom. The contact 6 is preferably parallel to, and spaced away from, the cooperating contact 3. A pin 7 is fixed to, and projects outwardly from, the spring contact plate 6, and is adapted to engage with a contact piece on the member 3, to make the circuit when permitted so to do by the mecha- IllSm.

Means are provided by the invention whereby the controlling circuit or circuits of the controlled clock or clocks are made and broken at the contacts 3 and 6 by the controlling clock mechanism 1. In connection and cooperating therewith, means are provided for effecting a very nice and accurate adjustment between the clock and the switchactuating mechanism, whereby the opening and closing of the switch may be timed with any degree of accuracy desired. a

In the embodied form of such means, a bellcrank lever 12 is fixed on a shaft 13, journaled in the frame plate 1 and in a parallel, spaced-apart plate 14, which is held in position by a plurality of spacing pillars 15, which may be of the usual type. The lever 12, at its upper end. has a laterally-projecting pin 16. which when the lever is moved is adapted to engage the contact 6, and to move it to break the circuit. A tension coiled spring 17 has one end fast to the lever 12, and the other end fast to one of the supporting and spacing pillars 15. A stop pin 19 projects outwardly from the clock frame-plate 1 into the path of the lever 12. The spring 17 thus impels the lever 12 to the left in Fig. 1, and the pin 19 acts as a stop for the movement of the lever in that direction.

In the embodied and present preferred form of means whereby the controlling clock mechanism actuates the lever 12 to make and break the circuit. a pin 21 projects from the side face at the pposite end of the lever 12, the pin being preferably flat on one side thereof to secure ouick and clean action. Cooperating with the pin 24 is an actuating and controlling disc 25 for lever 12. which disc is fixed on one end of a sleeve 26, which sleeve loosely encircles a shaft 27. journaled in the frame plates 1 and 14. The disc 25 is provided with a tooth 28. which cooperates with the pin 24 to actuate the lever 12 once in every revolution of the disc 25, thereby making the circuit at the contact 3 and 6. as will be herein after more fullv described.

Referring now in detail to the embodied form of the other circuit-controlling connections from the controlling clock mechanism to the controlled clock or clocks, 31 represents a shaft in the controlling clock mechanism on which shaft is fixed a pinion 32. Meshing with the pinion 32 is a gear wheel 33, fixed on shaft 27. Fixed also on shaft 27 is a disc 33, by suitable means, such as a set screw 34 threaded into the hub of disc 33 and engaging the shaft 27. Between these two discs, devices are provided for very nicely adjusting the angular position of the discs 25 and 33, to accurately time the circuit operation with the clock mechanism.

As embodied a pin 38 is fixed to and projects from the side face of the disc 25 toward the disc 33, the pin 38 bein preferably provided with a flat face. Fixed to the disc 33, and projecting toward the disc 25, in close contiguity to pin 38, is a pan 39. An adjusting screw 40 is screw-threaded in an aperture in the pin 39, the point of the screw resting on the fiat portion of the pin 38. A spring 41 is turned about and thus mounted upon the shaft 27, and its two ends respectively, engage the outer sides of the pins 38 and 39 and resiliently press them toward each other. It will thus be seen that by turning-the adjusting screw 40 an exceedingly e and accurate angular adjustment may be effected between the disc 33 driven from the controlling clock and the disc 25 which closes and opens the electric circuit which governs the controlled clock.

Referring now to the cooperating mechanism on the controlled clock, the clock mechanism proper is shown only in so far as may be necessary to clearly show and explain the application of the present inven- Y tion thereto. The plate 57 is one of the side plates of the clock mechanism, and 58 is the regulating mechanism therefor, the regulating mechanism comprising a balance wheel 59, which may operate in the usual manner.

The balance wheel, however, is provided with a stop pin 60, which takes part in the stopping of the controlled clock mechanism as later more fully described.

Mounted onthe plate 57 is an electromagnet 61, which is in circuit with the contacts 3 and 6 on the controlling clock'mechanism, as already described. Pivoted on a supporting rod 67 is a three-armed lever 68, the rod 67 being suppotred in the plate 57 of the clock mechanism and in a parallel plate 68,'supported and held in position by a plurality of spacing pillars 69. The upper arm 71 of the three-armed lever 68 extends upwardly into the path of one arm 72 of a bellcrank lever, which lever is pivoted on a rod 73, supported by the frame mechanism already described. The other arm 74 of the bell-crank lever extends upwardly and outwardly, and carries at the end thereof a weight 75, this weight operating as later described.

The lower arm 7 2 of the bell-crank lever is adapted to be attracted to and swung by the pole 7 7 of the electromagnet 61, whereby the D shaft 92. From the side of suitable device is provided for limiting the movement of the lever 68 in this direction and for nicely and accurately positioning it with respect to the various mechanisms. As embodied, a pin 80 projects from the frame plate 57, and an adjusting screw 81 is threaded thereinto, the point of the screw serving as an adjustable stop for the lever 68. The arm 85 of lever 68, is adapted to be swung into and out of the path of the stop pin on the balance wheel 59 of the controlled clock mechanism, to alternately oralternatively stop and start the clock mechanism.

Referring to the embodied form of means for timing certain functions of the foregoing mechanism with the controlled clock mechanism and especially for accurately determining the stopping of the .-controlled clock, a shaft 89015 the controlled clock mechanism has a pinion 90 fixed thereto, with which pinion meshes a gear wheel 91, "fixed on a shaft 92, journaled in a frame plate 57, and the auxiliary frame plate 68 already described. Fixed on shaft 92 is a'circular disc 93, by means of a set screw 94, passing through the hub of the disc and engaging the the other arm 95 of lever 68 projects a pin 96, which preferably also has a flat side, as shown in Fig. 1, to give clean and sharp movement. Cooperating with the pin 96 is a cam disc 97 fixed on a sleeve 98 loosely mounted on shaft 92.

Means are provided for effecting a very ac-.

curate and nice angular adjustment between the discs 93 and 97 to regulate the tim ng of the starting and stopping mechanism with respect to the controlled clock mechanism, and I this may be of the same form as that shown and described in a similar relation in the controlling clock mechanism. As embodied,

' a pin 100 is fixed to, and projects from, the

side face of disc 97, and is provided with a flat face. A cooperating pin 101 is fixed to, and projects from, the side face of the disc 93 toward the disc 97 and contiguous to the pin 100. An adjusting screw 102 is screwthreaded through the pin 101 with its'point resting against the square face of the pin 100. A spring 103 encircles the shaft 92, and has its ends embracing the outer sides of the pins 100 and 101 to prdss them resiliently.

together. Thus by turning the screw 102 against the yielding action of the spring 103, the accurate angular positioning and timing engage of themechanism relatively to the controlled clock mechanism may be effected.

The disc 97 is formed to control the position of the lever 68 in cooperation with the other devices alread described both on the controlled clock mec anism and on the controlling clock mechanism. The disc has a concentric portion 105 upon which the pin 96 rides to hold stop arm 85 out of engagement with a balance wheel 59,- and is provided with a drop portion 106, which acts to release the lever 68 at theproper time that it may swing under impulsion of spring 79,

and through arm 85 to stop the controlled clock'mechanism. Disc 97 has also a rising portion 107 leading into the concentric por- L tion 105.

The manner of o eration of the mechanism just described is substantially as follows: The mechanism is desi ed and constructed so that a single rotation of the shafts 27 and 92, and of the corresponding pairs of discs 25, 33, and .93, 97 coincide with the successive periods between the synchronizing operations of the system.

In an exemplary embodiment the disc period ma be about one and one-half hours. The cloclis are regulated so that the controlled mechanism or mechanisms will run a very little ahead of the controlling: clock mechanism, say three or four seconds during the interval stated.

While both, or all, clock mechanisms are the circuit with the contact 3. The timing of this operation with the controllin clock mechanism has been accurately a justed through the screw 40 and coo crating parts.

When the circuit is closed, the electro-magnet 61 is energized, and the tracted by the magnet and moves in clockwise direction in Fig. 1, thus moving away from, and out of the path of, arm 71 of lever 68. Pin 96, is,however, riding on the concentric portion 105 of disc 97 and so maintains the lever 68in i s extreme right-hand position in Fig. 1, with the stop arm 85 still out of the path of the pin 60 on the escapement balance wheel. At the instant the predetermined. time period has elapsed on controlled clock, however, the pin 96 rides is permitted to drop therefrom by the cutaway part 106, and lever 68, under the impulsion of spring 79, swings counter-clockwise, to the position shown in Fig. 1, and stop arm 85 of the lever engages the stop pin 60 of the escapement balance wheel, and stops the from the edge of the concentric part 105, and

arm 72 is atthe controlled clock mechanism. It will be thereby swung arm 72 out of the way, to permit the movement of lever 68 as ust described, and as timed from the controlled clock mechanism by the cam 97. This enables the stopping of the controlled clock mechanism at the predetermined second, the screw 102 permitting adjustment therefor to any desired degree of accuracy.

Just after the foregoing occurrences, and just as the controlling clock has reached the exact time at which the controlled clock, or clocks, has stopped, pin 24: rides down from the straight side of tooth 28, and lever 12 is moved in counter-cloclnvise direction in Fig. 1, in response to the impulsion of spring 17, and thereby opens the circuit at 7, and deenergizes the electro-magnet 61. Thereupon weight 75 swings its bent lever in counterclockwise direction in Fig. l, and arm 72 thereof strikes arm 71 of lever 68, and rocks it against its spring 79, so that stop arm 85 of the lever swings out of the path of stop pin 61 on the balance wheel, and the controlled clock mechanism starts in absolute 'synchronism with the controlling clock mechanism.

From all the foregoing it will be understood that a mechanism has been provided embodying the inventive features and resulting advantages set forth, together with others; and that changes may be made from the exact steps and structures described as my preferable procedure and embodiment, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A. secondary clock including in combination, a clock movement, a stop pin resiliently urged into contact with a moving part of the clock to stop the clock, a weight normally holding said stop pin out of contact with the moving part, a cam preventing movement of the stop pin into contact with the moving part except at predetermined times and an electromagnet adapted to be momentarily energized to retract the weight and allow the stop pin to be moved into contact with the moving part.

2. In combination, a controlling clock, a controlled clock regulated always to run very slightly in advance of the controlling clock, means for periodically stopping the controlled clock including a stop pin resiliently urged into contact with a moving part of the escapement of the controlled clock to stop the controlled clock, a weight normally holding said stop pin out of contact with the escapement, an electromagnet for retracting the weight to allow the stop pin to be resiliently moved and a cam rotated by the controlled clock for preventing the movement of the stop pin except at predetermined times, and a switch periodically closed by the controlling clock for controlling the electromagnet.

3. In combination, a controlling clock a controlled clock, a stop pin for periodically engaging a moving part of the escapement of the controlled clock to stop the same, spring means for moving said pin into stopping position, a weight normally holding said pm out of contact with the escapement, a cam driven by the controlling clock, a switch controlled by the cam, a second cam driven by the controlled clock for preventing movement of the stop pin except at predetermined times, and an electro-magnet energized by closing of the switch for retracting the weight to allow movement of the stop pin to stop the controlled clock.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' OTTO HESS. 

